Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama's hopes for carrying Montana have diminished over the past few months, and Montanans say it comes down to one word: guns.

"In Montana, we like our guns. We like big guns. We like little guns. We like shotguns. We like pistols. Most of us own two or three guns. Gun control is hitting what you shoot at," the state's Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer told the New York Times in April. When asked why he thought the Democratic nominee would not win his state, he replied, "guns."

After Al Gore narrowly lost the 2000 election, President Clinton said his support for gun control was partly to blame for his defeat. Then-Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe urged his party to abandon gun control issues in future campaigns. "I believe we ought to move it out, let the individual communities decide their gun laws and how guns ought to be treated," he said at the time.

Democrats had hoped to put the issue behind them, with 2004 presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry going so far as to stage a campaign stop in Ohio to go goose hunting - and suffering at the hands of pundits who mocked him for pandering.

This year, Mr. Obama's voting record, coupled with that of running mate Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, has resurrected the gun issue, and John McCain's campaign sees it as a major wedge issue to win over gun-owning swing Democrats and working-class union members in key Democratic bastions.

"Absolutely, we're going to emphasize guns and the Second Amendment. They're fundamental issues for Democrats, independents and Republicans in the battleground states that will decide this election," said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers.

Sen. Barack Obama has resurrected the gun issue in the fight for Montana. (Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

Mr. McCain has compiled a largely pro-gun voting record in the Senate, but he has had some differences with the National Rifle Association on his support for background checks at gun shows and his campaign finance reform law, which restricts certain campaign TV ads among advocacy groups such as the NRA. More recently, though, his selection of running-mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a hunter and NRA member, has boosted his standing.

"We've had some disagreements, and everyone knows what they are. We have agreed to disagree," NRA Chief Executive Officer Wayne LaPierre said. "But we'd be foolish to ignore the vast numbers of areas where John McCain has been a friend to gun owners and sportsmen."

cMcCain: Voted against a ban on assault-type weapons but is in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows. Voted to shield gun makers and dealers from civil suits. "I believe the Second Amendment ought to be preserved - which means no gun control."

cObama: Voted to leave gun makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as an Illinois state lawmaker, supported a ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.

I think any chance obama had to get gun owners on his side was totally lost when he selected the big mouth AWB ban author as his running mate.

September 17th, 2008, 12:15 PM

G96X0

Very Interesting,

Thanks

September 17th, 2008, 12:35 PM

raevan

Just watch how Obama tries to silverfish out of this, now that it is out in the open to everyone, not just the pro-gun people.

September 17th, 2008, 12:57 PM

rstickle

Has anyone ever asked Obama if he's ever even fired a gun? Just wondering, and if so what the answer was.

September 17th, 2008, 12:59 PM

762

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstickle

Has anyone ever asked Obama if he's ever even fired a gun? Just wondering, and if so what the answer was.

I'm waiting to see him go duck hunting like Kerry did this fall.

September 17th, 2008, 01:54 PM

lance22

Well, he has that coveted AHSA endorsement [pause for laughs]. Nothing like a fake pro-gun organization endorsing a fake man. Yet, I'm supposed to believe that Obama is honest? I saw his website back when he was a Senator and it was very frank about his views on guns. Now, all that information went away when he announced his candidacy. Because he's honest or because he's deceitful?

September 17th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Captain Crunch

Quote:

Well, he has that coveted AHSA endorsement

Yeah, those AHSA ads are getting a lot of radio air time in Montana. I don't think they will sway very many gun owners over to the other side.

September 17th, 2008, 02:49 PM

EW3

Quote:

Originally Posted by 762

I'm waiting to see him go duck hunting like Kerry did this fall.

:haha::haha::haha:

September 17th, 2008, 02:59 PM

762

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch

Yeah, those AHSA ads are getting a lot of radio air time in Montana. I don't think they will sway very many gun owners over to the other side.

that's so sad. most gun owners never heard of AHSA until Obama came on the scene. Now, i can see gun owners being swayed if Obama has an NRA endorsement, but we know that ain't happenin.

September 17th, 2008, 03:09 PM

raevan

He might make a good dog catcher, he could use a net instead of a gun in that job and it wouldn't go against his principles( I think)

September 17th, 2008, 03:36 PM

Redneck Repairs

Hmm i dont wonder why its risky . For a breakdown of Obama and guns you might try here Xavier Thoughts The post you want ( as it rolls down ) is titled Clinging to Religion and Guns . For myself ( and considering the state of some of the media today ) I will suffer being accused of being a racist because in fact ill vote for anyone but obama . Folks its not about his color its about his political philosophy. He is a gun grabbing socialist by his stated desires . That is not the candidate for me . What i think of McCain became irrelevant when he named Palin , She i can get behind on the political theater moreso than anyone i have seen in years .

September 19th, 2008, 09:43 AM

Roland of Gilead

Quote:

Originally Posted by 762

that's so sad. most gun owners never heard of AHSA until Obama came on the scene. Now, i can see gun owners being swayed if Obama has an NRA endorsement, but we know that ain't happenin.

Why would you think you would be thought/referred to as a racist for not voting for Obama?
Especially for not doing so for the reasons you've stated of not supporting his political positions?
There is no racism there and thus you would not be a racist for not voting for him on those terms of reason..

- Janq's not voting for Obama either, for reasons having nothing to do with race/gender/age/religion

September 19th, 2008, 12:48 PM

762

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janq

RR,

Why would you think you would be thought/referred to as a racist for not voting for Obama?
Especially for not doing so for the reasons you've stated of not supporting his political positions?
There is no racism there and thus you would not be a racist for not voting for him on those terms of reason..

- Janq's not voting for Obama either, for reasons having nothing to do with race/gender/age/religion

i'm not and it has nothing to do with his race. the man scares the crap outa me.

September 19th, 2008, 10:51 PM

jframe38

Obama's state of IL is one of two states that still does not allow CC. 'Nuff said.